Music learning aid

ABSTRACT

A music learning aid has a base and a sliding template. The template has windows which allow viewing of musical information imprinted on the base at different positions. Each position is selected by being able to view a keynote through a window so that the cut-out slots in the template then show the musical information for that keynote and scale or chord. The musical information may include the musical notation and the musical instrument playing instructions. In another embodiment, a learning aid takes the form of an electronic calculator where different information sets may be displayed on a liquid crystal display according to instructions inputted on a keypad.

The invention relates to a music learning aid. In this specification,the term "learning aid" means not only learning but also teachingwhereby the aid may be used as an aid for teaching or for learning. Inaddition, the term "music" when used in this context means music theoryor practice with reference to playing musical instruments.

Learning how to play a musical instrument involves a number of stages,one of the most difficult of which is memorizing how each note isproduced on the instrument. The note, scale and chord conversions forthe instrument must also be learned. The relationship between keys,buttons or strings of a particular instrument and their associated notename and staff position involves in-depth referral to a theoretical basein order to calculate scales and chords. Similar difficulties are alsoencountered by people learning music theory.

A music teaching aid is described in German patent specification no. DE4002361 (Kuffer, P.). This comprises a display panel straddled by aslider, upon operation of which Major and Minor keynotes in alphabeticmusic notation are displayed for a selected fundamental. Accordingly, itappears that this aid would be of some benefit to skilled musicians inthat it "calculates" Major and Minor scales for a particular keynote inalphabetic notation.

However, this teaching aid is apparently of little or no benefit tobeginners or to moderate musicians in learning how to play instrumentsor learning music theory. There is still a requirement to refer to musicbooks to obtain the necessary music theory information and informationas to how to play the relevant musical instrument. In many cases thisputs people off learning music.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device which willmake it easier for a person to learn how to play a musical instrumentwhile simultaneously learning music theory and/or to provide a devicewhich assists a person in learning music theory only.

According to the invention, there is provided a music learning aidcomprising:

a music information storage bank; and

a user interface having means for selecting and displaying informationfrom the storage bank in at least two alignment directions, onedirection displaying a scale or chord calculation, the other directiondisplaying additional scale or chord information for learning of musictheory or instrument playing.

By providing for simultaneous display of both calculation and additionalinformation in different alignment directions, the invention allows easyand enjoyable music theory or instrument playing learning.

In one embodiment, the calculation alignment direction is substantiallyhorizontal, and the additional information direction is substantiallyvertical as viewed on the learning aid, in use.

Preferably, the scale or chord calculation information is in alphabeticor staff notation, and the additional information is in the other of thealphabetic or staff notation.

In another embodiment, the additional information comprises instrumentplaying instructions.

Ideally, staff position, note name and playing instructions for everynote of the scale or chord are aligned in the additional informationdirection for correlation.

In a further embodiment, the aid comprises means for displaying numericposition of each note of the scale or chord.

In another embodiment, the aid comprises means for displaying tonicsolfa of each note of the scale or chord.

In one embodiment, the information storage bank comprises a base memberhaving the information imprinted thereon, and the user interfacecomprises a sliding template movable on the base member and beingconstructed to allow viewing of information in the alignment directions.

In this latter embodiment, the template preferably has a series ofelongate slots together extending in the calculation alignmentdirection, the direction of each individual slot being in the additionalinformation direction whereby each individual slot highlights a musicnote and correlated additional information.

Preferably, the base member has information imprinted on both sides andthe template allows viewing on both sides.

Alternatively, the storage bank may be an electronic storage bank andthe user interface comprises an electronic user input interface, anelectronic control circuit and an electronic display unit for displayingwith the information.

Preferably, the aid has a shape and configuration which allows it to behand-held.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way ofexample only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a learning aid of theinvention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and rear views of the aid of FIG. 1,respectively;

FIG. 4 is a front view of portion of an alternative construction oflearning aid;

FIG. 5 is a front view of portion of a still further construction oflearning aid;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a still further construction of learningaid of the invention, in this case being electronically controlled;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a still further construction of learningaid having electronic controls;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing construction of the learning aid ofFIG. 7; and

FIGS. 9a to 9f are front views showing different displays of thelearning aid of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, alearning aid of the invention indicated generally by the referencenumeral 1 is shown. The aid 1 comprises a rectangular plate which formsa base 2 for the aid on which slides a cursor template 3 which surroundsboth the front and rear faces of the base 2. The template 3 slides in alongitudinal direction, forwardly as indicated by the arrow A, andrearwardly as indicated by the letter B. The template 3 has a set ofcut-out slots 4 which extend in the transverse direction with respect tothe base 2. The slots 4 are of different widths, the reason for thisbeing explained below. In addition, there is a keynote window 5 abovethe slots 4.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 2 acts as a musicinformation storage bank as it includes different categories of musicalinformation imprinted on the front and rear of it. The template 3 actsas the user interface because it slides over the base 2 to highlightcertain information. The uppermost category is a series of keynotes 6,one of which may be viewed at any one time through the window 5 in thetemplate 3. A series of staff musical notation 7 is imprinted below thekeynotes 6. There is a series of scale indicia 8, in which each scaleletter is aligned with the corresponding piece of musical notation 7 byway of the slots in the templates. In turn, there is a series of musicalplaying instructions 9, each instruction being aligned with a note onthe musical notation 7 and a scale letter 8. The instrument playinginstructions 9 are in this embodiment for a two-row, B/C tuned buttonaccordion, however, they may be for playing of any musical instrument inany tuning.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cursor 3 is associated with the Majorkeys. However, there are other sets of cursors, not shown. One set isassociated with Minor keys and scales, and the other with all of thechords available on the selected instrument.

In use, to determine and play a C Major scale, the user slides thetemplate ("cursor") on the base 2 until the window 5 shows the C Majorkeynote. At this position, the slots 4 show a set of musical informationwhich indicate how this scale may be played. This set of musicalinformation includes the staff notation, the note names, and theinstructions for playing the C Major scale on the 10 button accordion.The scale is therefore "calculated" in the horizontal alignmentdirection in both staff notation and alphabetic notation. Veryimportantly, however, the vertical directions as highlighted by theslots 4 show additional information. For example, if the alphabetic"scale" is regarded as the calculation, the vertical alignment directionfor each note shows the additional information of the staff notation andplaying instructions. For example, if one wishes to play a tune, thelearning aid 1 may be used by simply lining up the cursor with the keythe tune is in and writing out each note in button notation (from themelody). The tune may then be played immediately provided the user hasthe air or a recording. Scales may of course be calculated for everyoctave available in the instrument.

FIG. 2 shows the front face of the learning aid 1 on which the base hasthe sharp scales imprinted on it, FIG. 3 showing the rear face on whichthe flat scales are imprinted. Thus, it will be clearly apparent thatthe learning aid 1 is extremely versatile and useful.

It will be appreciated that the learning aid 1 is extremely versatileand provides for immediate information for the user for both musictheory learning and also musical instrument playing. The combination ofcalculation information in one alignment direction and additionalinformation about the scale or chord provides the advantageous featureof greatly helping in learning of music theory or playing. In addition,the aid 1 may be used in teaching of music to students. A very importantfeature is the fact that a complete set of musical information which isrequired for certain purposes is immediately available to the user.Further, different sets of information may be very easily selected bysimply moving the cursor until the required keynote is displayed in thewindow 6.

Many different variations within the scope of the invention areenvisaged. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a learning aid 20which has a base 21 having a series of Minor key information 24, aseries of Major key information 25 and a series of chord information 26.There is also a series of musical notation 27, scale information 28 andinstrument playing information 29. In this embodiment there are twocursors 22 and 23, the cursor 22 having slots 30 for allowing viewing ofchord, musical note, scale and instrument playing information, in whichthe first slot indicated by the numeral 31 also allows viewing of theMajor keynote. The cursor 23 has a series of slots 32 in which alternateslots extend to a higher level to allow viewing of a separate chordinformation sequence 26 and there is a first slot 33 which allowsviewing of the Minor keynotes. The slots of the cursor 23 allow viewingof musical note, staff, scale and instrument playing information for allharmonic Minor scales.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a learning aid 40 comprising a base41 having Minor keynote, Major keynote, musical notation, scale, andinstrument playing information sequences 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46,respectively.

A template 50 has a set of slots 47 and an initial slot 48 which allowsviewing of the Major keynote and scales. There is a separate window 49for viewing of the minor keynotes. This cursor shows two sets ofinformation, in which the Major keynote is the relative Major of theMinor keynote.

It will be appreciated that the learning aid of the invention may takemany different forms in which the indicia which are imprinted on thebase member may change, as shown in the above-mentioned drawings. Inaddition, the mechanical operation of the learning aid may be variedwithin the scope of the invention. For example, instead of havingcut-out slots or windows, there may be transparent sections of thetemplate to allow viewing of the information. The base may be circularin shape, or indeed it may be cylindrical, in which the template iscorrespondingly shaped so that it may move on the base to highlight theinformation sets. The important point is that one alignment directionshows calculation information and another shows additional informationto help in music theory or instrument learning. Those skilled in the artwill immediately appreciate that many different shapes andconfigurations may be used.

Indeed, the invention is not limited to a mechanical apparatus fordisplaying and selecting musical information sets. For example, as shownin FIGS. 6 to 9 inclusive, an electronic hand-held device may be usedinstead. In FIG. 6, there is shown an electronic learning aid 70 havinga liquid crystal display unit 71 and an input keypad 72. The unit 71displays information in the same format as the mechanical embodiments.Programmed control circuits within the aid 70 allow a user choose therequired information set using the keys 72. The keys 72 include arrowkeys 73 to allow a user interactively select a required display in a"menu-driven" manner.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative construction of an electroniclearning aid of the invention is indicated generally by the referencenumeral 80. The aid 80 has a user interface liquid crystal display unit81 in which musical notation note names and keynotes 82 and playinginstruction information 83 is shown being displayed. As is clear fromthe drawings, the horizontal direction shows staff and alphabeticnotation calculations, the vertical alignment directions providingadditional (instrument playing) information. The aid 80 includes varioususer interface keypad sections including a miscellaneous section 84, ascales section 85, a chords section 86 and a scale/chord section 87. Themiscellaneous section 84 also includes a microphone 88 and a speaker 89.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the learning aid 80 is shown in more detail.Control circuits of the aid 80 include a keyboard interface input/outputport 91, a microprocessor 92, a read only memory 93 which in thisembodiment is the music information storage bank. In addition, there isa random access memory 94, and a graphics display input/output port 95.An address decode circuit 96 is used in conjunction with the variouscircuits. The control circuits are programmed in the read only memory 93to allow a user input instructions on the keypad to select a desiredmusical information set for display. The following example shows themanner in which the learning aid 80 may be used. References are made inthis description to the displays shown in FIGS. 9a to 9f.

The learning aid 80 which is illustrated is suitable for guitar tuition,however, it is envisaged that the aid may be programmed so that it canbe used for instructions in a variety of different instruments, orindeed for any other single instrument, tuned in any key. The instantaccess feature (of all embodiments, both mechanical and electronic) ofcorrelating scale/chord/note with their physical reproduction on anyinstrument while simultaneously displaying their musical notation (plusall features of music theory) is important. It allows a person with noknowledge of music theory or a musical instrument access to playinginstructions and selected musical theory.

For a complete beginner to use the aid 80, he or she toggles the {B,C}key so that the fifteen easiest chords on the instrument may bedisplayed. This allows the beginner to have instant access to playinginstructions and staff notation by simply pressing one key. In thisexample, the chords selected and displayed with playing instructions bytoggling the B, C key are: E Major, E7, E Minor, A Major, A7, A Minor, DMajor, D7, D Minor, C Major, C7, G Major, G7, B7 and F Major, in thatorder.

For people who are beyond the beginning stage, every chord (in allpositions) and every scale (all octaves) can be selected and displayedwith playing instructions using the teaching aid 80. In the followingdescription the C Major chord and the C Major scale are selected anddisplayed. All other scales and chords may be selected and displayedwith playing instructions using the same keyboard sequence and therelevant keys. In the case of FIG. 6, selection of information will beby way of an on-screen menu and arrow keys on the keypad.

As a first example, the following is the sequence of instructions fordisplay (and subsequently playing) of the scale of C Major (twooctaves).

Sequence

1. Turn the aid on with the {on/off} key.

2. Press key {C} in the "scale/chord" section 87 of the keyboard.

(Note 1: all the keys will be colour coded for simplicity so thisinstruction will read; e.g. Press Green key {C}. ) .

3. Press key {Major} in the "scales" section 85 of the keyboard.

(First Octave; Reference FIG. 9a).

(Note 2: e.g. Press Blue key {Major}.

4. Press key {Major} in the "scales" section 85 of the keyboard a secondtime.

(Second Octave: Reference FIG. 9b)

(Note 2: e.g. Press Blue Key {Major}.)

5. If the scales are required in Tablature format, pressing the {TAB}key at this stage will give the Tablature equivalent in the display.

(Reference FIG. 9f).

Display Information (FIGS. 9a and 9b)

When the scale is selected, the root note (in this case C) will bedisplayed on the staff and fingerboard and be highlighted. There willthen be a pause between the display of each note on the staff andfingerboard so that the student can easily follow the playing sequenceof the scale.

For both octaves the displays will show;

The staff with treble clef in place, in the display section 82.

The name of the scale/chord selected; (in this case C Major).

All the notes of the scale/chord in position on the staff.

The numeric position/interval of each chord/scale.

The key signature.

The name of each note in the scale.

A box grid in the display section 83 representing the strings and fretson the fingerboard of the guitar; the horizontal lines representing thestrings, with high E (1st) at the top and the low E (6th) at the bottom.The vertical lines representing the frets are numbered to show whatfingerboard location to use.

Finger positions indicated by circles on the strings.

A number in the circle to tell you which finger to use.

Circles without numbers representing optional notes.

Strings without a circle are played open.

Strings with an x should not be played.

Using the above sequence by pressing the relevant keys, all of the Majorand Minor scales can be selected and displayed on the aid 80 withdetailed playing instructions and staff notation as shown in thedisplays of FIGS. 9a and 9b, thereby providing a comprehensive tutor forthe beginner and also for the advanced student.

In another example, the aid 80 may be used to select and display thechord of C Major in three playing positions. The following is a sequenceof inputs and a list of the displays.

Sequence

1. Turn the device on with the {on/off} key.

2.Press key {C} in the "scale/chord" section 86 of the keyboard.

3. Press key {Major} in the "chord"section 86 of the keyboard.

(Note 3: Press orange key {Major}).

First Playing Position; Reference FIG. 9c.

4. Press key {Major} in the "chord" section 86 of the keyboard 41 asecond time. (See Note 3).

Second Playing Position; Reference FIG. 9d.

5. Press key {Major} in the "chord" section 86 of the keyboard 41 athird time. (See Note 3).

Third Playing Position; Reference FIG. 9e.

6. If the chord selected is required in Tablature format, pressing the{TAB} key at this stage will show the tablature equivalent in thedisplay.

Display Information (FIGS. 9c, 9d, 9e)

For each playing position the displays will show;

The staff with treble clef in place.

The name of the chord selected.

The name of each note in the chord.

The numeric position/interval of each chord note.

The notes of the chord in position on the staff.

The key signature.

A box grid representing the strings and frets on the fingerboard of theguitar; the horizontal lines representing the strings, with high E (1st)at the top and low E (6th) at the bottom. The vertical linesrepresenting the frets are numbered to show what fingerboard location touse.

Finger positions indicated by circles on the strings.

A number in the circle to tell you which finger to use.

Circles without numbers representing optional notes.

Strings without a circle are played open.

Strings with an x should not be played.

Using the above sequence and by pressing the relevant keys on thekeypad, all of the chords may be selected (a minimum of 276 in threeplaying positions for the guitar) while displaying the accompanyingplaying instructions and staff notation, thereby providing acomprehensive tutor for the beginner to advanced player.

Additional features of the teaching aid 80 include the fact that all ofthe elements of music theory may be displayed using the (MT) key whichwhen pressed will change the functions of all other keys.

The {Full} key will display all available notes on the fingerboard ofthe selected instrument, with associated staff notation.

The {TAB} key will display the tablature equivalent of every scale andchord selected. Tablature is a system of writing down music for theguitar and other fretted instruments. (Reference example given in FIG.9f).

To find individual notes on the fingerboard, pressing the required keytwice in the "scale/chord" 87 section will display all fingerboardpositions of the selected note with associated staff notation andplaying instructions.

The built-in microphone 88 can be used for tuning acoustic instruments,while a plug-in socket can be used for tuning electric instruments, withaccompanying display (a feature of the {MT} key).

A tuning facility can also be available using the keyboard to select thenote required. The built-in speaker 89 will sound the selected note(s).The speaker 89 can also be used to sound the selected chord(s).

A metronome feature can also be incorporated in the device.

All of the keyboard keys can be multifunctional dependant on theinformation required and they can also be toggled in different modes tostep through various displays. This device can also be used fortransposing music.

The invention provides a device which provides an instant, automatic,foolproof method of correlating all scales/chords/single notes withtheir physical reproduction on any instrument tuned in any key, whilesimultaneously displaying the musical notation associated with thescale, chord or note. It automatically calculates scale and chordintervals and simultaneously provides additional information so that ittakes the complexity out of musical instrument playing and theorylearning.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described.For example, in the electronic teaching aid it is envisaged that amicroprocessor control circuit may not be used. Further, it is envisagedthat a relatively simple logic circuit could be used where there are afew displays required and such a teaching aid would be extremelyinexpensive. It is envisaged that the invention may be implemented bysoftware running on PC or other computer. It is also envisaged that themechanical embodiment may be Braille indicia for use by blind people.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore describedbut may be varied in construction and detail.

I claim:
 1. A music learning and instrument playing aid comprising:(a) aplanar base member of elongate construction extending in a longitudinaldirection and having indicia marked on a face thereof, the indiciacomprising:indicia representing musical staff lines extending in thelongitudinal direction, musical note indicia representing individualmusical notes located on the staff lines at different positions in thelongitudinal direction and in a transverse direction perpendicular tothe longitudinal direction, and a plurality of sets of additionalinformation indicia, each set being associated with indicia representingan individual musical note and being in alignment in the transversedirection with the associated musical note indicia; and (b) a slidingtemplate comprising:means for sliding on the base member in thelongitudinal direction, and a plurality of elongate windows eachextending in the transverse direction, the relationship between thelength of each window and the indicia on the base member being such thatthe windows allow viewing of indicia for musical notes at differenttransverse locations on the staff lines upon sliding of the template todifferent longitudinal positions on the base member, and to allowviewing of indicia for associated additional information at eachlongitudinal position, and wherein the windows are located with respectto each other to allow viewing of musical note indicia representing amusical note calculation so that the longitudinal direction is acalculation direction and the transverse direction is an additionalinformation direction.
 2. The aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one of the elongate windows is sufficiently wide in thecalculation direction to allow viewing of indicia for two or moremusical notes adjacent to each other.
 3. The aid as claimed in claim 2,wherein the elongate windows have a substantially equal spacingtherebetween.
 4. The aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongatewindows have a substantially equal spacing therebetween.
 5. The aid asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding template also comprises a guidewindow which allows viewing of indicia for a calculation key, andwherein the base member indicia and the template windows are locatedwith respect to each other so that registry of the guide window with acalculation key indicia causes the elongate windows to allow viewing ofthe relevant musical note calculation and the associate additionalinformation.
 6. The aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide windowis located adjacent to a first elongate window.
 7. The aid as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the musical note indicia are located substantiallycentrally on the base member, the additional information indicia arelocated beneath the musical note indicia, and the key indicia arelocated above the musical note indicia, as viewed by a user.